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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Nov 1999

Vol. 509 No. 6

Written Answers. - Video Games Classification.

Nora Owen

Question:

522 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps, if any, he has taken to classify video games; when he received the Helm report; the recommendations made by that report on classification of video games; when an Irish classification mark will appear on video games in rental and retail outlets; the reason action has not been taken to classify video games in view of the many concerns expressed by parents and teachers about the content of video games; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21179/99]

I can confirm to the Deputy that I received the Helm report on the administrative and management functions of the film censor's office in November 1998. The report makes reference to regulation issues relating to video games. In this respect I would point out to the Deputy that all aspects of censorship legislation are being reviewed at the moment and it is expected that a discussion paper on this area will be available within the next few months.

Under the existing provisions of the Video Recordings Act, 1989 video games are exempt from classification and certification by the film censor unless the game in question would be likely to cause persons to commit crimes, to stir up hatred against any group of persons, to deprave or corrupt persons by the inclusion of indecent or obscene material or where the game depicts acts of gross violence or cruelty towards humans or animals.
Up until recent years video games on release in the State did not pose any problem as they did not fall into any of the categories mentioned. However, video games now being produced may come within the scope of the provisions of the Video Recordings Act mentioned and, if so, it would be a requirement of the Act for the relevant distributor to submit the video game or games for certification and classification by the film censor.
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